New York City - The American Theatre Wing has announced the recipients of the 2010 Jonathan Larson Grants. The grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers, help to continue Tony Award®-winning composer Jonathan Larson's dream of infusing musical theatre with a contemporary, joyful, urban vitality. After considering 165 applications, Peter Lerman, Daniel Maté, and songwriting team Michael Kooman (music) and Christopher Dimond (book and lyrics) were selected to receive the prestigious grants, totaling $10,000. They will be honored at a presentation on Tuesday, March 9, at Touch (240 West 52nd Street, New York City.

This year's recipients were selected by an expert panel consisting of Robyn Goodman (Tony® Award-winning Producer, "In the Heights"), Tom Kitt (Tony® Award-winning Composer, "Next to Normal"), Kathleen Marshall (Tony® Award-winning Choreographer, "The Pajama Game") and Stephen Schwartz (Tony® Award-winning Composer-lyricist, "Wicked").

"Jonathan's work has enriched my life in countless ways and I will always strive to celebrate his life's work through my own contributions to the musical theatre," committee member Tom Kitt commented. "In addition, the Larson Grants changed my life when it awarded a very raw piece entitled "Feeling Electric" a grant back in 2004. That gift gave Brian Yorkey and me the confidence to keep working on that piece at a time when we weren't sure we could. Now, five years later, under its new title, "Next to Normal" continues to serve as an important example of how Jonathan's many gifts have changed lives. I couldn't be more proud to work with the Jonathan Larson Grants as a reminder of how important it is to nurture young artists and to fight for their voices to be heard."

Dedicated to celebrating excellence and supporting theatre, the American Theatre Wing awards the Larson Grants to artists to recognize and showcase their work with no strings attached - except to put it to the best use possible to help further the artist's creative endeavors.

Past recipients of the Larson Grants include Sam Davis ("Curtains"), Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar ("The Wedding Singer"), John Bucchino ("A Catered Affair"), Laurence O'Keefe ("Bat Boy: The Musical") and Michael Korie ("Grey Gardens").